Robin Hobb. Is he/SHE any good?

Post by **Prebe** » Thu May 22, 2008 1:37 pm

I was recomended the author at Amazon. I'd like to hear from Donaldson fans who have read his books.

Post by **Farm Ur-Ted** » Thu May 22, 2008 2:57 pm

He's not a dude! Anyway, I liked her books. I think most people start with the Farseer/Assasin trilogy; they're a bit like Harry Potter for adults (at least the first book is; Assasin Apprentice). I haven't read her newest trilogy (Soldier Son). It's supposed to be pretty slow. Her books are heavily character-driven, and the plots sometimes move slowly. The Farseer trilogy actually moves along pretty quickly. I read it in a couple of weeks myself. The Liveship Traders series is slower moving, but larger in scope than the Assasin books. I liked that trilogy better, myself.

Post by **I'm Murrin** » Thu May 22, 2008 5:09 pm

I've not read any of Hobb's work myself, but she seems popular. Wanted to mention: Though the Hobb name is better known, she's also been published under her real name, Megan Lindholm. (Yes, the name Robin was chosen deliberately for it being gender-ambiguous.)

Post by **shadowbinding shoe** » Thu May 22, 2008 5:27 pm

Yep, I liked her books. Farseer trilogy in particular. For those who liked the angst and pain in Donaldson's books there's plenty of that in her books. I also like her depiction of magics. Subtle yet very magical. The characters are the center of her books and their reactions are very realistic.

Post by **aliantha** » Fri May 23, 2008 4:07 am

iQuestor is a big Robin Hobb fan; I picked up the Farseer trilogies on his recommendation. Pretty good stuff, IMHO.

Post by **Waddley** » Fri May 23, 2008 5:11 am

I love Hobb like I love peanut butter!!

I really don't have much else to add on top of what everyone's said... character-driven story (complete with author-induced pain), excellent use of magic, blah blah blah. I'm no good at reviews.

I like the Liveship Traders trilogy best, but start off with the Farseer, then go to Liveship and then finish with Tawny Man. You'll <3 Fitz

(I wouldn't quite agree with the comparison to Harry Potter- there's no pretty little school, all doesn't always turn out fine in the end, Rowling actually likes her characters... But that's just my opinion)

Post by **Lord Mhoram** » Fri May 23, 2008 4:32 pm

Farseer is excellent.

Post by **Cleburne** » Sat May 24, 2008 6:30 pm

Im a big fan of Robin hobbs work and have read the whole lot from the Farseer trilogy up to the new Soldier son trilogy and I would diffently recommened her books to you Prebe. I found them hard to put down especially the first trilogy.Definitely worth the read. Go for it

Post by **Nerdanel** » Sat May 24, 2008 6:34 pm

I don't particularly like Robin Hobb. Many people like her, but she's too slow for me, and too much about relationships. That's not my cup of tea.

I've heard that even many of Hobb's fans hated Forest Mage, so Soldier Son is something you definitely shouldn't start from.

Post by **Prebe** » Tue May 27, 2008 5:28 pm

Sorry Nerdanel! The rest of the crowd kinda sold HER to me

*shuffles off to Amazon*

Post by **Cleburne** » Wed Jun 04, 2008 7:53 pm

Hi Prebe let us know how you get on with her books I hope you enjoy them

I agree with Nerdanel about Soldier Son it not as good as the Farseer trilogy but you have 9 books to read before you get to that one.Happy reading

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Post by **Carson Napier** » Mon Jun 23, 2008 1:38 am

Loved the "Farseer" trilogy, gave up half way through book two of the "Liveship" trilogy, I was really starting to dislike the herione and decided I really didn't care what happened to her.

Never got around to the "Tawny Man" trilogy or whatever it was called, "the fool" wasn't a big favorite of mine in the farseer trilogy, so I decided that reading three books based around him was not for me.

Post by **Farm Ur-Ted** » Mon Jun 23, 2008 3:16 pm

Carson Napier wrote: Never got around to the "Tawny Man" trilogy or whatever it was called, "the fool" wasn't a big favorite of mine in the farseer trilogy, so I decided that reading three books based around him was not for me.

Re: Liveship Traders

Spoiler

What'd you think about the fool in Liveship Traders?

Post by **[Syl]** » Mon Jun 23, 2008 4:11 pm

Nerdanel wrote:I don't particularly like Robin Hobb. Many people like her, but she's too slow for me, and too much about relationships. That's not my cup of tea.

I've heard that even many of Hobb's fans hated Forest Mage, so Soldier Son is something you definitely shouldn't start from.

Wish I would've known this a year or so ago. Soldier Son was alright, but Forest Mage was one of the biggest slogs I've ever endured (and there is no payoff in that book).

Post by **Farm Ur-Ted** » Mon Jun 23, 2008 4:52 pm

I got the first Soldier Son book for free from Eos when they were giving it away, but I don't think I'll read it, given what everyone says about the Forest Mage.

Kevin's Watch

Kevin's Watch

Robin Hobb. Is he/SHE any good?

Robin Hobb. Is he/SHE any good?